Englewood Dental

At Englewood Dental, keeping our patients educated about their dental health is a priority. On our blog, you’ll find tips and best practices for optimal dental health, answers to your dental questions, and up-to-date information on the latest technology, products, and procedures, all with the goal of helping you make informed decisions about your dental care. Be sure to check back often to get advance notice of what’s happening at Englewood Dental, from patient events to special offers and discounts.

We strive to provide our patients with the best dental care for a lifetime of beautiful smiles!

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Make a New Year’s Resolution for Better Dental Health

Enter our New Year’s giveaway to win the Genius Pro 8000 electric toothbrush and discover a revolution in oral care.
It’s easy to enter! Just make an appointment for a cleaning or check-up before January 31, 2017, and you’ll be automatically entered to win. Click below to request your appointment online.

Save the Date – Upcoming Events @ Englewood Dental

February 3, 2017 – Our 3rd Annual Give Kids A Smile Day

February 25, 2017 – Character Day @ Englewood Dental: The Return of the Doggie Defender!

Learn more about Character Day or add your name to the guest list Here

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Whether you get local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia is usually dependent on how difficult the dentist thinks your procedure will be. Here’s your guide to the different types of dental anesthesia available.

Local Anesthesia: Under local anesthesia you are awake, you may feel pressure, but you won’t feel pain. Your dentist or oral surgeon administers a local anesthetic with one or more injections near the site of each extraction. Before you receive an injection, your dentist or surgeon will likely apply a substance to your gums to numb them. You’re awake during the tooth extraction. Although you’ll feel some pressure and movement, you shouldn’t experience pain.

Sedation: Under sedation you are awake, but you have lessened consciousness and won’t remember much. Your doctor gives you sedation anesthesia through an IV line in your arm. You don’t feel any pain and will have limited memory of the procedure. You’ll also receive local anesthesia to numb your gums.

General Anesthesia: Under general anesthesia, you are completely under and won’t remember anything. In special situations, you may be offered general anesthesia. You may inhale medication through your nose or have an IV line in your arm, or both. Your surgical team closely monitors your medication, breathing, temperature, fluids, and blood pressure. You’ll experience no pain. Local anesthesia is also given to help with postoperative discomfort. A patient may choose general anesthesia for simple procedures, depending on their level of anxiety. Most people having their wisdom teeth removed or having a dental implant placed will choose general anesthesia. General anesthesia may be necessary if local anesthesia fails to anesthetize the surgical site, which often occurs in the presence of infection.

In order to determine which type of anesthesia to use for your extractions, you will need to discuss your anxiety level and the complexity of the procedure. If you have been putting off having your wisdom teeth removed, choosing the right type of sedation can alleviate a great deal of apprehension about your extraction.

At Englewood Dental, we’re always happy to help. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, call us at 201-871-3556 or click here to connect online!

How Are We Doing?

Supermodel Gisele Bündchen revealed one of her health secrets, in her book, “Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life”. As part of her morning routine, she wakes up around 5 a.m. and swishes coconut oil around her mouth. This daily ritual called Oil Pulling serves “to clean out all the guck and to detoxify teeth and gums.” Recently, coconut oil has become insanely popular, as it is a natural and beneficial substance. Unlike other oils which are composed of long-chain triglycerides, coconut oil consists mainly of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). The primary MCT in coconut oil, Lauric Acid is used by the body to create monolaurin which helps kill harmful bacteria. The idea behind Oil Pulling is oil acts as a magnet for microbes that contain bacteria which through brushing alone are hard to free. Oil allows for these bacterias to be picked out of your teeth, gums, pores and tubules within the teeth and intermix with oil solution-making it easy to dispose of and detoxify your mouth.

Benefits of Coconut Oil Pulling:

Reduces plaque build-up

Reduces bad breath

Prevents cavities and tooth decay

Improves gum health

Reduces gum inflammation and gingivitis

How to Use Coconut Oil:

Put 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth. Swish the coconut oil in your mouth by pushing and pulling it between your teeth for 15-20 minutes, similarly to using a mouthwash (but a little longer).

Spit out the coconut oil. Make sure to spit the coconut oil in the trash instead of the sink since the coconut oil could clog drains.

Brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth helps to remove any coconut oil still in your mouth that could contain bacteria.

*It’s recommended that oil pulling is done in the morning before eating or drinking.

Make Sure Not To:

Swallow the coconut oil while swishing.

Due to the pulling, the coconut oil will have bacteria and toxins that is has taken from the teeth and mouth that could make you sick.

Use oil pulling as a replacement for a regular oral hygiene routine

While oil pulling has many benefits, it’s recommended that oil pulling is used in addition to a regular oral hygiene routine which includes brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for an efficient, healthy, natural way to whiten and brighten your smile, then adding coconut oil to your daily oral routine might just do the trick!

At Englewood Dental, we’re always happy to help. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, call us at 201-871-3556 or click here to connect online!

How Are We Doing?

Silver Diamine Fluoride has been utilized for hundreds of years, and is now easier to use than ever!

What it Is:
The first ever cavity-fighting liquid, Silver Diamine Fluoride, stops and reverses tooth decay before it appears. Halting the formation of caries (decay) in an earlier stage ultimately prevents the need for dental procedures as one gets older.

What it Does:
Restricts and reverses the progress of an already formed cavity in permanent and primary teeth. Once applied to the decaying tooth, a layer of silver protein conjugates form, which then increases the acid dissolution and enzymatic digestion resistance. The silver mimics an antimicrobial, the fluoride remineralizes, and the proteins that decompose dentin stop. It stains substances that have been decayed or demineralized, helping to differentiate between the healthy and unhealthy parts of the tooth.

How Are We Doing?

What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It is often caused by poor oral hygiene which allows for plaque to build up on teeth and harden. Some symptoms of gum disease include bad breath, red and swollen gums, tender or bleeding gums, painful chewing. Gum disease has also been linked to more serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Did you know that exercise reduces your risk of gum disease?
Colgate found that regular exercise reduces the risk of gum disease; the study showed that non-smokers who exercised regularly were 54% less likely to have gum disease than non-smokers who did not live an active lifestyle. The journal’s research found that exercise reduces inflammation in your body, including in your gums. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that adults who followed government recommendations for physical activity were less likely to have periodontal disease.
According to a study done by Colgate, nonsmokers or former smokers who exercised moderately five days per week, or vigorously three times per week for at least 10 years showed a significantly lower risk for periodontal disease. Nonsmokers had a 55% lower risk and former smokers had a 75% lower risk.

How Does Staying Active Help Your Teeth?
Regular exercise improves your digestive system by getting your blood pumping and creating more effective bowel movements. Due to the improved digestive system, your body’s tissues are able to resist infection, especially inside of the mouth. The digested vitamins and minerals from the food you eat are an essential part of strengthening and protecting your teeth, which allows for better overall health as well as dental health.

Do you know about the serious health issues that can occur with poor oral hygiene?
It is essential to practice good oral hygiene and see a dentist regularly in order to avoid serious risk to your body’s overall health. Failure to exercise regularly can lead to serious health complications such as obesity. Typically, people with a lower Body Mass Index have better oral health and fewer overall health issues.

You can keep your gums and teeth healthy by:
1) Exercising regularly
2) Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes
3) Flossing regularly to remove plaque from between teeth
4) Use a toothpaste and mouthwash that contain fluoride
5) Visiting a dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning
6) Limit sugary foods and drinks like candy and soda
7) Eat a well-balanced diet with food and drinks that strengthen your teeth

With health issues affecting not just your overall health, but your dental health, it is absolutely essential to take care of your body and your teeth by exercising regularly. Be sure to drink plenty of water during any exercise, being properly hydrated is key to good health, including dental health.

At Englewood Dental, we’re always happy to help. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, call us at 201-871-3556 or click here to connect online!

Brush your mouth properly, at least two minutes, twice daily! You shouldn’t just be brushing your teeth, because your tongue, your gums, and the roof of your mouth also need a good cleaning! To brush properly, place the bristles of the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line so that the bristles are touching the teeth and the gum! Use a back and forth, up and down motion. Brush the surface of your tongue and the roof of your mouth to help get rid of bacteria that can cause bad breath. Remember: do not brush your gums too hard, remember to brush your teeth and gum lightly.

Pick the Right Toothbrush
Look for a brush with soft bristles that are small enough to reach into all the cracks and crevices of your teeth.

Floss Regularly
Brushing alone cannot completely clean your teeth. Brushing lacks the ability to get in between teeth. Hold the floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers and gently insert it between the teeth. Curve the floss into a “C” shape against the side of the tooth. Rub the floss gently up and down, keeping it pressed against the tooth. Repeat on all teeth, including the back ones!

Be sure your diet is tooth friendly
Nuts, fruits (such as apples), cheese, chicken and vegetables are all teeth friendly! Limit intake of sodas and alcohol. These products contain phosphorus which can deplete the calcium level of the body which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Eliminate tobacco use
Avoiding tobacco can prevent you from periodontal complications such as oral cancer. Foods that are often used to mask the smell of tobacco often end up being sweets, tea, or coffee, all of which are harmful to teeth.

Regular Dental Visits
Make regular dental visits a habit! Regular visits to the dentist allow your dentist to track the progress of possible mouth issues, and the sooner it is taken care of the better!

Most people don’t have the removal of their wisdom teeth high on their to-do list, especially if they are not bothering you. However, they can cause trouble for you and your mouth in the future if you don’t have them taken care of.

What do Wisdom Teeth do in your mouth?

Wisdom teeth aren’t necessary for chewing, so many people don’t develop them, but if you do they are the final set of molars. They usually erupt during your late teens or early twenties. Most people know wisdom tooth surgery as a rite of passage and excuse to eat ice cream. Nine out of ten people have at least 1 impacted wisdom tooth. A tooth becomes impacted when there is not enough room for the tooth to enter the mouth in full function. If left alone, this could cause damage to neighboring teeth or cause infection.

What is an impacted Wisdom Tooth?

When a wisdom tooth is impacted, the tooth is trying to squeeze into a spot where there isn’t any room for it, crowding the rest of your teeth.

An impacted wisdom tooth may:

Grow at an angle toward the next tooth

Grow at an angle toward the back of the mouth

Grow at a right angle to the other teeth, as if the wisdom tooth is “lying down” within the jawbone

Grow straight up or down like other teeth but stay trapped within the jawbone

This can cause many complications including pain, damage to nearby teeth, damage to the jawbone, or fluid-filled cysts. These complications make it harder to clean your teeth, increasing your risk for periodontitis symptoms like swollen and bleeding gums and bad breath. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can even lead to difficulty in opening your mouth.

Wisdom teeth can cause much discomfort when they come in, even if they erupt properly. If they become infected, you will be in even greater pain. To avoid such disastrous symptoms, call our office immediately to set up an appointment to have your wisdom teeth looked at, your dentist may recommend that they be removed.

Getting your wisdom teeth removed when you are younger is recommended because as you get older the teeth’s roots form more fully and make extraction more difficult, and often makes healing more challenging.

You Need an Extraction, Now What?

Whether you get local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia is usually dependent on how difficult the dentist thinks the procedure will be.

When the doctor begins the procedure, they will use a special instrument to loosen and disconnect the tissue surrounding your wisdom tooth and then pop it out. Occasionally the doctor may divide the tooth into smaller pieces in order to make removal easier. You may receive stitches in the surgical site, but there will also be gauze over the holes to promote clotting to help your wound heal.

What Can You Expect During Recovery?

After your wisdom tooth removal, you will have to take things easy in order to let yourself heal. How you feel afterward is dependent on the level of sedation your doctor used, but you will need someone to drive you home. Your face may swell and you may experience some pain, but that is all completely normal.

The amount of pain you experience depends on factors such as the number of teeth removed and how impacted they were. Your gums where your wisdom teeth used to be will be sore to the touch for about one week, but barring any complications, the pain tends to subside after a few days.

Ask your dentist about pain management, they often recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen. They also recommend using an ice pack to relieve the pain, swelling, and bruising. Your dentist will tell you how long you should remain on a soft food diet.

After surgery plan to spend the day resting and recuperating, and avoid strenuous activity for a week as it might cause loss of the blood clot. Drink lots of water after surgery, but avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, carbonated and hot beverages for the first 24 hours.

What is a dry socket?

Dry socket is the most common complication after tooth extraction—which is an incredibly painful condition where the clot over an extraction site gets dislodged and exposes bare bone and nerves. This can happen by using a straw and/or cleaning your mouth too soon or too forcefully. Be sure to ask when you can return to your usual oral hygiene routine.

If you do develop dry socket your dentist will put a medicated paste into the socket to promote healing, and on rare occasions, they may have to go back and try to get closure of the socket by pulling the tissue over it.

Questions to ask your dentist: How many wisdom teeth need to be removed?

What type of anesthesia will I receive?

How complicated do you expect the procedure to be?

How long is the procedure likely to last?

Have the impacted wisdom teeth caused damage to other teeth?

Is there a risk that I might have nerve damage?

What other dental treatments might I need at a later date?

How long does it take to completely heal and return to normal activity?

Call your dentist or oral surgeon if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, which could indicate an infection, nerve damage or other serious complication:

Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Excessive bleeding

Fever

Severe pain not relieved by prescribed pain medications

Swelling that worsens after two or three days

A bad taste in your mouth not removed with saltwater rinsing

Pus inside or oozing from the socket

Persistent numbness or loss of feeling

Blood or pus in nasal discharge

Our team is always available to share information and educational materials. The more you understand about your dental treatment plan, the wiser your decisions. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, call us at 201-871-3556 or click here to connect online!

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL!

$165 Evaluation and X-ray Special (regular value $275)

Everybody knows that a dental implant is costlier than your usual dental treatment, with each implant costing an average of $3,000 or even more. With that steep price tag, it’s perfectly normal for people to wonder if dental implants are worth it. Let’s list some facts about dental implants to see if they are, indeed, worth it.

They replace natural teeth
A dental implant is designed to look and feel like your natural tooth. It is, after all, permanently placed into your jawbone and functions like a real tooth.

They are tough
With dental implants, you don’t have to worry about cracking or breaking them when you eat harder-than-usual food. The power of your bite is often stronger with dental implants.

They don’t decay
If you lost your natural tooth because of decay, then you don’t have to worry about a dental implant suffering the same fate. Dental implants are decay-proof, as they are usually made of titanium.

They help you digest your food
Dental implant helps a person chew food properly, and the enzyme action it triggers is restored to help you digest what you eat. This makes your overall diet healthier, preventing conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

They have no side effects
Since the installation of a dental implant is a surgical procedure, it’s normal for a patient to experience a little swelling, some pain and discomfort afterward. However, as long as the patient follows all of the dentist’s instructions and observes proper dental care, usually no adverse effects occur.

They are fast-healing
It usually takes a week or so for a patient to recover from dental implant surgery. After a few months, the dental implant is fully healed and integrated to the bone.

They help restore your smile
If you’ve been self-conscious about smiling because of missing teeth, then worry no more. Your confidence will be restored along with your smile once you have dental implants installed.

They are for everyone
As long as you’re in good health, with enough jawbone, you are a good candidate for dental implant surgery.

They’re for the long-term
The initial cost may be high, but with their benefits, dental implants are cheaper in the long run. They don’t require maintenance aside from brushing and flossing, and they don’t need replacing. Once they’re fully integrated, your dental implants will be there for the rest of your life, with no additional spending needed.

The benefits listed above make it clear that dental implant surgery is worth it. It is, after all, one of the most efficient, effective, and long-lasting dental treatment available today.

Schedule your FREE consultation and find out what dental implants can do for you!

Our goal is to provide an outstanding experience for each of our patients. Your feedback helps us accomplish that. If you’re willing to take a minute or two to share your experience by writing a review, you can do so by clicking below.

The idea of undergoing dental implant surgery can be a bit intimidating. After all, it does involve surgically placing metal posts into your jaw as a way of replacing damaged or missing teeth. However, knowing what to expect should help you prepare mentally and emotionally for the procedure.

What does a dental implant look like?

Typically, a dental implant is made of titanium and looks like a screw. It is designed to mimic the root of your tooth. Once it’s surgically placed, the implant has to become securely attached to the jawbone before a crown can be placed on top of it, a process that could take several months.

Does it hurt?

As with any kind of surgery, there is a certain degree of discomfort involved. Your dentist, however, will see to it that any such pain or discomfort will be alleviated with local anesthesia. You can also expect to be prescribed medications that will ease any discomfort you might experience after the procedure.

How you’re prepared for surgery

Before going into surgery, your dentist will typically tell you to rinse with chlorhexidine or any similar special antibacterial mouthwash. It’s also likely your dentist will instruct you to take antibiotics days before the procedure.

The dental implant procedure

Your dentist will use local anesthesia to make your mouth completely numb. Once the numbness sets in, the dentist will make an incision on the part of your gums where the implant will be placed. When the bone is exposed, your dentist will use a specialized drill to create a space in which the implant will go. Using the same drill or perhaps a hand tool, the dentist will screw the implant in place. Your gums will then be closed over the implant, with some cases requiring stitches.

All of the above is just the first phase of the procedure. Once the bone and the implant have fully bonded over the course of several months, the second phase begins with the dentist making a small incision in your gums to re-expose the implant. Your dentist will then place a small extension on the implant. This extension, in turn, is where a new dental crown will be placed.

Post-op

It is normal for patients to experience sore and swollen gums after a dental implant procedure. It is common practice for dentists to prescribe painkillers to help with the discomfort. However, it is not unheard of for some people who have undergone a dental implant procedure not to need any pain medication at all. Some even go straight to work the following day.

Maintaining your implants

Your implants should be cared for just like you would with your natural teeth. Brushing and flossing the implant or crown is recommended. I would also be good if you can visit your dentist every six months or so.

Knowing what to expect from dental implant surgery can make the procedure much easier. If have questions or concerns about implant surgery, the best thing to do is to schedule a consultation and speak with your dentist.

We are now accepting a Limited number of patients to take advantage of the reduced rate of $499 per implant during a Live Surgical Course being directed by Dr. John Minichetti at the Dental Implant Learning Center @ Englewood Dental. Call 201-871-3555 or click here to request your FREE consultation and evaluation.

Dr. Megan Peterson Boyle is a cosmetic dentist with Dental Studio 101 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is focused on providing anxiety-free dental services, including dental implants and cosmetic fillings. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her friends and family.

February is National Children’s Dental Health month, and Englewood Dental is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Give Kids A Smile program and hosting their 3rd annual Give Kids A Smile® event to provide underserved children with free dental services. This year’s event will be held on February 3, 2017, from 9am to 1pm.

Raise awareness of the epidemic of untreated dental disease occurring locally and nationally and create local public and private partnerships to increase access to oral health care to solve this crisis.

The American Dental Association (ADA) launched the Give Kids A Smile program as a way for dentists to join with others in the community to provide dental services to underserved children. Since its launch, more than 5.5 million children have received free dental services.

To learn more about the Give Kids A Smile program and how you can be part of the anniversary celebration, visit GKAS online here.

Applicable to children 12 and under who do not have a dental home and cannot afford access to dental care.

During the holiday time of year, it’s easy to get caught up in celebrating and let our routines slip. Keep these dental care tips in mind to end the holidays with the healthy smile you started them with.

Stick with your oral hygiene routine, it’s especially important during the treat-heavy holidays

Schedule a post-holiday checkup and cleaning to be sure you’re starting the new year clean and cavity-free

Protect your teeth during winter sports with a mouth-guard and avoid opening packages with your teeth to prevent chips or breaks

Be sure to drink more water, particularly after meals or sugary snacks

Speaking of snacks, opt for fresh fruits or other healthy treats whenever possible

For many still in school or college, the holiday season is the start of Winter break. This is an excellent time to schedule any necessary dental work such as wisdom teeth extractions or taking care of cavities. Schedule for your child today and send them back to school with a healthy smile. The holidays are a joyful, special time to enjoy with friends and family, and following these tips will help you share a beautiful, healthy smile with loved ones into the New Year.